One interesting method for teachers to extend their understanding of what their own teaching is all about is to visit other schools. It can help them solve old problems and develop new views on education. Discusses some insights into the evolution of school policies and curricula and provides guidelines for ensuring a productive visiting program.…

The author, who over the years has taken many students abroad on study tours, shares some conclusions that he has reached. His thoughts, which include many practical tips on how to organize foreign travel, should be helpful to educators planning on undertaking such a venture. (RM)

This summary report on the Study of Induction Programs for Beginning Teachers offers insights on the findings of the study. Two kinds of programs were studied: preservice internship programs, and induction programs. A discussion is given on what the study revealed about the experiences of beginning teachers in the transition period from students…

In this first of four volumes reporting the findings of the study of induction programs for beginning teachers, the problems and issues covered by the study are discussed. A description is given of the methodology used in the study, and a series of recommendations for teacher educators and policymakers are offered. In the first chapter, the human…

This self-help manual provides information to districts and schools wishing to investigate or implement a beginning teacher mentoring support program. The manual describes one model of mentoring, the Beginning Teacher Support Program, that was researched in Montana schools from 1992-1995. Chapter 1 introduces the purpose and organization of the…

This book presents a guide for setting up a new teacher mentoring program. Chapter 1, "Relating," stresses the important part a relationship plays in the mentoring process. A set of introspective exercises teaches ways to establish trust and pay attention to nonverbal communication. Chapter 2, "Assessing," provides ways to gather and diagnose data…

Describes a federally funded peer mentoring project for faculty development at a rural two-year college. Presents three case studies of mentoring within a division, across divisions, and interdisciplinary mentoring. Includes mentor and mentoree narratives. Offers suggestions on initiating and structuring peer mentor projects, and describes…

This report provides guidelines for replicating a project of the Cleveland (Ohio) Public Schools, called the "Major Work Partnership," which paired experienced teachers of gifted classes with teachers of regular elementary classes for the purpose of improving the regular teachers' skills in gifted education. The mentorship component of…

A social studies elementary teacher education program at Phillips Institute of Technology in Australia is described. The program, which places students in charge of teaching a 9-week social studies unit, is recommended as an alternative to the conventional lecture method. The paper is divided into discussion of five aspects of the course:…

This guide is intended as a resource for school or school district leadership teams who desire to rethink the teacher evaluation process. Three chapters address the task of designing a teacher evaluation system that encourages self-reflection and continuous improvement, as well as the personal and professional growth of experienced teachers. The…

A recurring theme in the social literature is the perceived gap between what faculty in higher education view as the goals of and preferred methods for teaching social studies and those valued and applied by practicing social studies teachers. In 1990, Ohio State University began planning an intensive school-university collaboration in the form of…